Electrostatic flying toy



Oct. 22, 1935. H. H. WElL 2,018,585

ELECTROSTATIC FLYING .TOY

Filed Jan. 14, 1935' 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR f/a/zs flekmam; M497,

5 M'ERQW ATTO RNEYS Oct. 22, 1935. w 2,018,585

ELECTROSTATIC FLYING TOY Filed Jan. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I a, MQQN Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE In Sweden November 11,

2 Claim.

for example a small aeroplane bird or the like which is cut out of a thin light foil or sheet of preferably an electric conductor, e. g. an aluminium sheet and a rigid hollow rod of non-conducting material, preferably hard rubber or ebonite which at one end is provided with a metallic covering or the like.

When a rod of this kind is rubbed with, for example, a cat's skin it becomes electrified in the known manner and the metal covering is charged with negative electricity. If the toy aeroplane is now thrown into the air and touched by the metal covering, then the v,aeroplane is also charged with negative electricity, assuming a characteristic position corresponding to the field and one can thereafter hold the aeroplane floating by means of the rod and can control it and produce various movements, such as looping, spiral diving, etc. after which it always returns into the balanced position.

By employing two rods one can augment the repelling forces so that they are caused to act in accordance with the law of the parallelogram of forces.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a small glider aeroplane of hammered aluminium foil which is manipulated by two ebonite rods 3 .provided with metal ferrules 2 at one end.

Fig. 2 shows a modification.

Fig. 3 shows a further modification in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of Fig. 3.

Figure 2 shows a modified constructional form of the rod or electrophorus with a special arrangement for the charge. Here It denotes an ebonite tube which at the end is provided with a metal block II. For charging this metal block, a plunger I! of insulating material having a handle it is provided which fits inside the tube It. The plunger I2 is provided on its underside with a metal covering it which by means of a lug I5 is in conductive connection with a small metal piece it on the upper side of the plunger l2, which metal piece can be brought into contact with the metal block ll. When the plunger I2 is removed and rubbed with a cat's skin and again inserted in the tube Ill so that the metal piece It comes into contact with the metal block Ii, it charges the latter. By moving the plunger I! backwards and forwards out of and into contact with the metalblock II, the latter can be further charged.

By placing the toy aeroplane or the like upon the metallic top surface of the block II, it will 6 be clear that the excitation of the said block results in the production of an electrostatic fleld and the repulsion of the aeroplane which thereupon rises in the air in a charged condition without there being any tendency to stick to the 10 block.

By manoeuvring the charged stick or sticks in a rectilined manner within the vicinity of the floating aeroplane glider it is easily possible to keep the latter floating for an almost indefinite 1 period and to cause it to make a loop action, a spiral dive and to imitate other aeroplane stuns. Owing to the shape of the floating member, is possible to manoeuvre it so that its movement is the result of the characteristic position 2 of surfaces in an electric field and the electric attraction or repulsion, these two effects being combined with the action of the air currents, which is not possible with other forms of floating members. 25

Several players may perform together and further one player may govern several aeroplanes.

The aeroplane may be folded in its long axis preferably at the vfront end only which in some cases improves the manoeuvring of the toy.

A further modified form of electrophorus or manipulating rod is shown inFigures 3 and 4, in which the former is an elevation and the latter a sectional elevation. In these figures, 20 is a stem of conducting material the end of which is fitted with a shaped metal plate 2| forming a kind of aerodrome. This plate rests upon a similar shaped ebonite plate 22 protected by a metal cover 23 on the lower side, both being attached to a handle 24 which carries an exciting member 25 whereby the rod 20 and the top plate upon which the aeroplane is first placed, will become charged, and the latter rise in the air as soon as the ebonite plate is withdrawn from the top plate.

The several parts may, tising matter or the like.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrostatic toy comprising a member formed of light thin material, in combination with a rod of non-conducting material, said rod being provided at one end with a metal covering, a handle surrounding the rod and slidable thereif desired, bear adver- 2 amuse on, and an exciter carried by said handle in eonhaving on one end a metal plate for holding said tact with said rod. whereby movement oi said member, a handle surrounding the rod. a plate handle charges said rod. and whereby said memoi insulating material. on aid handle, and an ber may receive an electrical charge from the ,exciter on said handle, whereby upon separation 5 metal covering and thereafter may be held floatoi the plates they become electrified e0 that eaid I ing and maneuvered in the air by means oi the member may receive a charge from the metal charged rod. plate, whereby the member may be held floating 2. An electr stati t mv ing a member and maneuvered by mean! of the charged rod. formed or a light thin material, in combination 10 with a rod oi non-eonductins material. said rod HANS mm Wm. I 

